DU QUOIN -- Mayor Guy Alongi attributes a downturn in the city's sales tax revenue to the fact that more Americans are spending their hard-earned money online as opposed to local stores.

"The biggest problem is companies like Amazon and eBay," he said. "There's no doubt that the amount of online shopping by our residents hurts us, but I'd like to think the decrease in sales tax ($460,000) is but a blip on the radar and that we will once again increase our sales tax revenue."

Alongi said the city remains on solid ground economically speaking.

"Anytime you lose sales tax revenue, it's a concern, but we've been able to meet all our financial obligations," he said.

City Clerk Andrew Croessman said he agrees with the mayor that residents are spending more money online. The good news, he said, is that some online companies may soon have to pay sales tax back to the states and that money would eventually funnel back down to municipalities like Du Quoin.

Additionally, Croessman said more residents are on fixed incomes and have less disposable cash to spend, which has undoubtedly contributed to the lack of sales tax revenue for the city.

"There are higher health insurance costs, state income tax increases, gas increases. That all factors in," he said.

For the year, Croessman said Du Quoin collected nearly $2.6 million in sales tax revenue as opposed to a little over $3 million a year ago.

Harold Emling, representing Emling & Hoffman P.C., performed the city audit and told members of the city council Monday night that he was impressed with his findings.

"This was one of the cleanest audits I have ever performed and I represent 20 different city and village accounts. Your city clerk (Croessman) does a really nice job for you."

Emling added that the state owes the city $540,000 in sales tax revenue.

That money, Croessman explained, has accrued over the last several months. The state makes monthly payments to the city and is just now paying for revenues recorded late last fall.

In other news, the council:

• Approved the vacation of an alley between Roosevelt, Grafway, Smith and Vine Streets.

• Authorized an option to lease up to 26 acres of land in the Du Quoin Industrial Park to IPS Solar for solar energy purposes.

• Authorized a business district redevelopment agreement between the city and Michael and Tayler Hurt with DBA Sassafras Woodworking.

• Authorized Bob Green Drive to be a one-way street for the duration of the Du Quoin State Fair.

• Authorized the issuance of a parade permit to Du Quoin High School Pep Club for Homecoming.

• Adjourned to executive session to discuss the discipline of an employee. No action was taken.